Aerosol generator



19, 1952 ,1. w. HESSION, JR 7 ,6

AEROSOL GENERATOR Filed Feb. 26, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Jo/m M/vesszomJn ATTORNL'YS Aug; 19', 1952 J. w. l-i'asslou, JR

AEROSOL GENBR'ETUR 5 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Feb. 26, 1947 To F ROM SUPPLY SUPPLY INVENTOR.

Jb/m M Hesszon, J1.- BY Arm/wars Aug. 19, 1952 J. w. HESSION, JR

AEROSOL GENERATOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 26, 1947 INVENTOR. Jb/m Mflessz'on J1.

ATTORNEYS Aug. 19, 1952 J. w. HESSION, JR 0 AEROSOL GENERATOR Filed Feb. 26, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 mmvr'ox. Jo/ml l V. Hession,J"..

ms am ATTORNEYS J. w. HESSIONI, JR

Aug. 19, 1952 AEROSOL GEiqERAmR 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 26. 1947 INVENTOR. Jdm Mfifi-SSIOILJI.

BY I M, ma @4444,

ATTORNCYS Patented Aug. 19, V 19 52- EROSOL ERAT R 1- 'Jphiliw. Jr.', 'Dar'ie n, Conn; afy zs,1947, seiia1No.7s1,132

9 til-aims; ((Jifibb) A gisss i 'This invention 'relates f-to aerosol generators andj'moie;particularly: to a machine designe id"to eiTect-a"dispersion or diffusion of a selected liquid into particles which are extremely'fminute and substantially homogeneous in size and adapted to be readily alt-borne for substantial"distances; This application has certain "featuresf-in commph with de endin appli atiori Serial:

' The term aerosol is generally; accepted in scientific circles as a generic term'to'de seribe the size of" particleswhich maybe air-borne infVaryins. egrees immerse Q'or a'ero particles may vary in size ire-m one tenth j (.l) cron diameter or"l es's,"to upw'ams' fifty (50 microns'diameten The extent to 'whicli an aero soiparticle maybe air-borne varies; with its size on mass, v "As I a rough" approximation, 1 mayf be said that the cubicmass offaiparti cleis'approximately thecube or its diameter, and 'accordingly' a particle which is'one hundred (100) microns in diameter would possess approximately cubic mass ofamet'er f P V thesizeofthe particlejormore particularly? its cubic ma According to Stokes law of falling particles, it :has been determined 'thatin"a'-mediuni'o'f still air, a parti'cle' f six microns in 'diai'n'eter will require approximately five minutes-to fall one' 'foot -'or tli irtycentimeters; -a--'particl'e of ten microns dia'mete'r will require approximatelytwo-minutes to fall thirty centimeters :1 particle of :twenty microns diameter will require approximately {one half minute-to fall thirty centimeters; while a particle ofsixty" microns diameter will-require approximately three seconds" to falFthi'rty cen'-' timeters. Aerosol particles which are fifty-microns and larger in diameter normally remain suspended inair for" a relatively short time pe-j ri'od, will drift comparatively very shortjdistan'ces onlyfand may be aptly classified as sprays.- Therefore' it may be said that a true aerosol has generally been considered as descriptive of 'par*- ticles'which will be borne bynormal air currents,

rents is largely determined b and less than fifty microns diameter.

ljfllh ese' 'scientific considerations are guiding factors in. effecting diffusion of liquid insecticides, germicides, 'deodorants; fungicides, sterilizing agents, hormonesand medicaments of the greatest importanceto agriculture, industry and public health.- The particle size of the diffused litiuid in manyinstancesfdetermines the effectiveness of the liquid treatment, thejqua'ntity orvoloFFICE um'e'for liquid necssary' to area theftreatment; the area ov rjv vhichfthe dispersed'j'liquid is ef fective, the uniformity of deposition and con centratie'n; the :cost" of effecting the dispersion and the avoidance of concentrations'to a degree whibi 'iareiharmiul 01 objectionable." In thefiel'd'lof entomology, for example, highly valuable insecticides have been'jdeveloped whose effct'ivene's'sfand applicability are to a large ex} tent, controlled and determined y particle size con 7' deration's." "Localized concentrations of someinsecticides as obtainedby sprays generating particles of fifty microns diametenand greater, may cause damage" to f useful {life forms, suehjas 'beesand' pollinating insects; E; tomolb'gists have therefore appreciated the essential impertan'ce" of eifecting' liquid insecti cide} dispersions in extremely "fine" particle-size,

viherein the "required small quantity of effective insecticide is uniformly dispersed over the t'reatf ed area, and in concentrations and particlesize wherein the enemy insect is effectively destroyed, without eama ing effects on; useful insects and other "useful lifei Such -efiective' light treatcan b e'practically obtained by a'erosol' 'di's'- persions' whereinthe pafticlefsize or the treat" in'g material ranges 1 in the approximate mean ditioning' room and building interiors. Aerosol treatment of rooms and interiors is markedlyefl fective; where the particle size is properly controlled; andreasonab'ly homogeneous, since the liquid aerosqi dispersion will drift and unifermly disperse through "the; atmosphere of the confined space'fmoving.into'all thespace'sj and creviees whereaircurrents may enter .and jfinally beuniformly'jdeposited above and beneath projecting surfaces which, when "properly controlled, "leaves no visible or objectionable deposit. Thetair in rooms and interiors canthu's be sterilizecfifumigated, deodori'ze'd, scented fend temperedfb'y'iis'e of controlled amounts of theliquid mat'er'ial containing' the' chemical ingredients desirable for the purpose. I Building,interiors and livestock, may alsobe' treated with liquid insecticides to' destroy stantially homogeneous size.

Monumental efforts have been devoted to thedevelopment and invention of aerosol generators which will generate a liquid aerosol dispersion of controlled and substantially uniform particle size. Various machines, and. devices. have been developed and tested; includingspray nozzles through which the liquid material is. ejected under high pressures, machines utilizing combustion gases and superheated steam, andaerosol bombs. Prior art machines and devices heretofore developed have either failed to produce aerosols having the particle size uni formity which proper treatment conditions require, or which create fire or health hazardsyor which; require the dispersion of the liquid material in gases which are so highly heated as to damage the effectiveness and usefulness of the treatingliquid, or which are cumbersome, expensive, difiicult to control and operate, or which require expensive propelling agents andadultere ants.

In accordance with this invention, anaerosal generator is provided which is simple in design and construction, economical to manufacture, substantially foolproof in operation and which propagates an aerosol whose particle size may be adjusted and regulated, with the particles having an extremely high degree of size uni rmi y- Animportant feature of this invention ,is the provision of an improved dispensing head comprising a series of stacked dispensing discs of almost any desired number which are preferably made ofjwear -resistant metal and preferably present substantially smooth facing surfaces; Spacing elements are provided to space theinner peripheries of the dipensing discs in a manner to present thin open seams for the admission of the aerosol liquid therebetween. The peripheral facing portions of; the dispensing discs are preferably in substantially face to face con tact and so held by resilient compressionmem-, bers which form a part of the dispensing head assembly. f A distributor member of unique design is positioned centrally of the dispensing head and adjacent to the inner peripheries of the stacked dispensing discs which operates to distribute the aerosol liquid supplied to the distributor member substantially evenly and umformlyinto the open seams definedbetween the inner peripheral edges of the dispensing discs. The aerosol liquid thus injected between the adjacent surfaces of the dispensing'discafis sheeted and filmed 'therebetween as the filmlayersmo've outwardly to the disc peripheriesjunder th'erimpellin'g influence of the high'speed rotation ofthe dispensing head. The material is discharged from thedisc peripheries, in fine aerosol particles possessing remarkable size uniformity.

The surface forming members, may be fixed to a common shaftrotatedat high speed; by any suitable power unit or driving device such as, arr-electric motor, gas orv steam, turbine, or

combustion engine. The aerosol liquid maybe 4 supplied to the distributor member by any suitable liquid feed tube, and may be advantageously conducted through the hollow drive shaft. The rotating dispensing discs develop a vacuum area therebetween which serves to draw the liquid aerosol material through the feed tube and into the seams defined between the inner peripheries of the dispensing discs. Means are provided to control the flow of the liquid aerosol material through the feed; tube and into the space between the rotating surfaces. 'With a given diametric size of rotating surfaces, rotating at a given speed, the particle size of the aerosol produced can be nicely regulated by the simple expedient of controlling the amount of flow of the liquid to the dispensing discs. The particle size of the propagated aerosol may also be varied by varying the diametric size of the dispensing discs, or by varying the speed of rotation, or both. I

An object of this invention is to provide an aerosol generator designed to produce and i en: erate an aerosol havingfpartic'le size of substan, tial homogeneity. i a

Another. objectv of this invention is to provide an aerosol generator having animproveddis; e a e wh h a be mee s de iv alr most any desired volume of a aerosol output, and by means of which the particle: size, of; the propagated aerosol may be I nicely predetermined and controlled.

Another Object s. inv n on i terror-i is an aerosol generator having-animproved. owerassembly of high -air volume output'and lewpower consumption in cooperative combination with the dispensing head, theshaft bearings be:- ing, fully inclosed and protected.

Another object of. this invention. is to provide an aerosol generatorhavingan improved -aero s ol. liquid supply assembly connected in leakrpioqf relation to, the. dispensing. head, the liquidsup; ply assembly/having means for. accuratelycon trolling the volume fiow,.to; the. -dispensing head whereby the particle size and volume output 0f; the projected aerosormaybe;delic ately -controlled-andregulated. I I

A further object-of this invention. is ;to provide an aerosol generatorwhich is simple and com; pact in design. and, construction, which ;'II lay' b constructed in-various sizes-and forms best suited for the particular aerosol: treatment for which the generator is to -be--used-,-whichmay be poweredand driven by i almost any desired power un it',- and which is highly practicalin -use,,economicalto manufacture, and-,Jflexibly adapted {to the, various purposes I of aerosol propagation;

Other objects and-advantages :of this imifintion will become apparent .as 1 this; description proceeds.

Although the characteristic I features a on; the invention will ba -particularly pointed; out---inthe claims appended hereto, the inventionit; self, and the manner in whichlit may be carried out, may. be better;.understood by referring;.to the following, description takenv in connection with the accompanying drawings =forming.a,paiit hereof, in which Fig. 1 isa side elevational, viewof .this iimproved aerosol generator h'a v ing a high output capacity dispensing head,,.driven.by. a combustion engine.

Fig.2 is a front. eleyati-onal view. of the, aerosol generatorshown in Fig. 1. M

Fig, 3 ,is a. side vievv partly in section of; the essential parts of thi s aerosol'generator asfgthel. same appears when viewedalo'ng line 3 3 of Fig.

11, this-view s o inea, ewo e. im oved disp nsi he d a d the. tubular dr v sh ti n a cross sectionalview'of the blower assembly and the aerosol liquid'supply connection to the tubularshaft." i

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross sectionalvieW of the'rdis pensing head and a fragmentary portion of the aerosol liquid supplyshaft; and f Fig. 5 is a cross sectional detail of the dispensing head as the same appears when viewed along linei5-5 of Fig. 4. v similar-reference characters refer to similar partsthroughout the several views'of the draw: n s'and sp ci ti n. '1 Referring to the drawingsthis improved aerosol generator; may be said to comprise, adispensiing head I attached to a tubular. 'drive shaft 3J0, the drive shaft being encased withingthe outer casing dl of a blower assembly 40.. The tubular shaft 30 is supplied with aerosol liquidfrom stationary supply conduit through a connecting device 1'! which provides a non-leaking connectionbetween the stationary supply conduit 10 and the adjacent; end of the, tubular drive shaft 39. The tubular drive shaft 30v may be driven. by any suitable source of power such as an electric motor, gas ,or steam turbine or combustion engine; the particular aerosol generatorillustrated in the drawings being shown as driven by a combustion engine 80. s w An important feature of this invention is the provision of an improved dispensing head assembly I which is shown in detail in'Figs. 4 and 5. The dispensing head assembly comprises essentially a series of stacked dispensing discs 20f almost any desired number which are made of hard wear resistant metal preferably presenting smooth and polished facing surfaces. The .dispensing discs 2 may be formed substantially flat, and preferably present a circular outer periphery 2, and a circular inner periphery 2". The discs are stacked together, with means provided to maintain their inner peripheries 2" separated a few-thousandths of an inch to admit the aerosol liquid therebetween. The peripheral facin surfaces of the dispensing discs are preferably in substantially face-to-face contact and so held by compression members which form a part of thev dispensing head assembly.

(The stacked dispensing discs are supported upon an inner hub member-3 having a hub portion 4 which is secured as by a key 4' to the tubular drive shaft 30. The hub member is provided with a flange portion 5 which provides a support for the stacked dispensing discs and which is also provided with a raised boss 5. To lighten the weight of the hub member 3 and still provide adequate strength, the flange portion 5 thereof may be provided with a plurality of equally spaced thickened collar portions 6 through which the clamp bolts 25 extend, strengthening webs 6' radiating'inwardly from each of the collar portions 6 to the hub portion 4.

outer hub member M substantially conforms to the hub member 3, the hub members 3 and I4 providing means between which the .dispensing discs may be clamped together in'assembled position. The hub member M. is provided with-ahub portionl5 which embraces thetubular drive shaft 30. The hub member I 4 is provided with. a flange portion Hi, also having a plurality, of. spaced thickened collar portions I! through which the clamp bolts 25 extend. Reinforcin webs l1. radiate inwardly from each of -.the..co r l2I 9I1S..l.,1 to the. hub. portion- 'I5;of

6 the clamp friember I 1 It will benoted by re; ferring more particularly to Figs: 4381114115,; hat the clamp bolts 25 extend through aligned holes in the collar portions 6 and I1 ,of'the relatively rigid hub members-3 and [4; which 'heles ali-gn with corresponding-holes in the stacked dispens ing discs 2. Thin metal; washers- 24 are -;inter+ leaved ybetween ltheadjacent surface; of ,the dispensing discs and kept in stacked alignment by theclamp bolts '25. Thewashersidshould be extremely thin and no more than a few thou?" sandths of an inch thick and serve to; retain the inner peripheries 2" of the d-ispensing ,disos in uniform spaced relationship an amount conforming tothickness of'the washers 2,4, The'peripheral facing portions of theidispensin g'dis-cs 2 should be preferably resiliently :retained in substantially face-to-face contact so that the disc peripheries 2" reveal-only barely perceptible seamstherebetween. To effect. the propagation of aerosol particles of controlled and substantially homogeneous size, it is desirable that the adjacent disc surfaces be smooth and polished, with theadjacent peripheral surfaces thereof in substantially face-to-fa-ce contact. {.AS shown more particularly in Figs. 4 and 5," the outer peripheral portions of the stacked discs are resiliently clamped between a pair ofclamping disc [8 and I8 made of tough resilientmetal of predetermined stiffness characteristics., The

clamping discs 18 and I8 present somewhat .disha shaped wall portions [9 and I9 respectively,,the

inner circular rims 26 and ZOFabuttingagainst the adjacent shoulders defined b-ythe raised boss portions 5' and ['5' of the hub members iigand [4 respectively. The inner rim portionsv off-the clamping discs: 18 and I 8' seat against the fiat face 2| and 21 of the hub members 3.and.l 4.

the clamping discs l8 and i8 presenting spaced aligned holes through which the'spaced clamp bolts 25 extend. The outer rim portion 22 and 22 of the clamping discs [8 and [8' are rounded to provide rounded rims, with the terminalzedges 23 and 23 thereof abutting against the outer surface ofthe adjacent dispensing disc; 5;; It will be appreciated that the. head portion 26 and the threaded nut 26 of each of the :clamp bolts 25 may be manipulated to clamp the dispensing discs, spaced apart by the thin washers 24, in rigid and firm assemblyso as to leave an open seam between the inner peripheries 2".of the discs, each seam being preferablynomore than a few thousandths of an inch indepth. .II'he rounded rim portions 22 and 22' of the clamping plates I 8 and I8 serve to resilientlypresszthe adjacentperipheral faces of the dispensing discs '2 in substantially face-to-face contact.- A-rcap charged from the plurality of radially-extending holes 32 in the tubular drive shaft "30,- to'th'e limited seaming spaces defined between the inner peripheral edges 2 of thedis'pensingdiscs. distributor member 1 comprises atubula-r' body wall 8 which fits over the tubular drive shaft 30 adjacent the radial passages-32 thereinfl fThe tubular. body wall-8 of" the distributormemberis grocers 7 provided --"wit h spaced M inwardly xtending Y rim portions-'fl which seat snugly a'g 'ain'st the-footer surface of. thetubular shaft 30; A circular cavi'ty space 10 is definedbetween the spaced inwardly'extendi ng rim portions 9','-the-cavi ty space lil receiving the aerosol liquid discharged from theradiallyextending-shaft port holes 32. plurality of-spaced discharge slits I l provide-passages for-thedischarge of the aerosol liquid from the'cavity: space Hito outercav-ity' space l2. Radially extending fins 13, forminga part of the-distributor member,- project for a distance into-the cavityspace I Z. r

Y As-"the-dispensi-ng head revolves at relatively high speed, the centrifugal force generated drives outtlieai-rcontained within the cavity spaces I and l z the air escapingfrom the outerfperiphcries 2 1 of the dispensing discs, thereby creating substantial suction or vacuum within the dispensing headwhich draws the aerosol liquidthrough the passage 3! in the tubular drive shaft 30. The aerosol liquid discharges through the radiar port holes-32 in the tubular shaft, thence into the centralspace lfl defi ned bythe tubular wall 8 of the distributor member. The aerosol liquid escapes from the cavity space 10 through the elongaztecl slits H in the tubular- Wall- Bofthe distributor hub. The escaping-aerosol liquid enters thecavity space 12 and" is evenly distributed-betweentheinner peripheries 2 of the dispensing discs; Even and substantially uniform liquid feed to: the-:several filming spaces between the inner peripheries of the discs is efiected by making the combineddischargeareas of the discharge slits H: not substantially greater than the combined liquid input areas of theshaft ports 32.. Thus the liquid is-discharged from the full length of the .discharge slits ll, whichdischarge is agitated v by the radial fins l3 into spray form which fills discharges-sfromzthe outer periphery of. thedispensing discs. as aerosol particles which are extremelyfineandruniform in-size. By the-use-of aspluralitymf: stacked dispensing disc's as above described andl'illustrated, any desired number of layersof. aerosollparticles may be projected-from the-peripheries of the rotating-dispensing discs, thereby attainingialmost any desired-aerosol butput'.:...The diametric size of the aerosol particles propagated may. .be.;controlled: by controlling the volume-of aerosol-liquid supplied to the inner-peripheriesoi the dispensing discs whichis-in turn controlled by the volume of aerosol liquid permitteditoqbe sucked through. the passage 3| i-n-the tubularshaft 30..

' An increasedvolume of aerosoll-iquid supplied to'.i.-the:-dispensing-discs would create a correspondingly increased pressure againstthe adjacentfaces of 'the dispensing discs, which increasedpressur-e mayserve to slightly spread-the adjacent peripheral faces of the dispensingdiscs to a correspondingdegree as may be. permitted bythe, inherentresiliency of the. outer peripheriesiof; the dispensing discs and the,.cooperating clampingplates- 1 8 and -I 8'. By thus controlling il e v imep a r quid Supplied tothediscs, 1

the -peripheralspeed of-rotation oi the dispensing discs, and the resilient characteristics of-the dispensing discs '2; and clampin'g' platesl 8 and Hi"; aerosol particlesof controlled'size may be' propagated having remarkable size uniformity; e

The aerosolparticleswillafiowdrom the-pe p cry of the dispensing discs inthe approximate plane of rotation-oi the-discs untilmodifi'ed or changed by :the surrounding atmospherie. -currentsby whichthe aerosol particlesare strongly influenced. In many aerosoltreatment operations it is desirable to provide astream-of ai'r'or other gas to cradle theaerosol particles-dis charged from the dispensinghead'and directthe aerosol particles forwardly of thedispensing head for some: desired distance. This invention incorporates a blower assembly 40 whereby-this directive: resultcan be: accomplished to the desired degree. Asshown.more-particularly in- Fig..3, the blower assembly fill-may comprise atubularcasing M whose upper'edge 4| 'terminatesin the-approximate plane :of the dispensing discs 2 and is spaced therefrom .toiprovide a surrounding throat u defined-between the outer periphery 2'1. of the dispensing discs and the terminal edge M" of: the casing M, The. size of sthetaerosol passager is determined by-the number of dispensing discsin: corporated into. the dispensing ihead and the air stream vvelocity at. the-throat a necessary tocarry the propagated aerosol particles the desired distance before being. dispersed. in-fthenormal' atmospheric currents... v

The outer tubular.- casing 41 may containaa bearinghousing; 1:2 :c-entrally Y thereof which presents an inturnedfiangaportionfi-Bterminating in acircular collar portion i'iwhichsupportsa bearing assembly. 43.; The bearing assembly 46 comprises an: inner bearingringlll fixedtothe reducedneckportion 3'3x0f the tubul ar shaft 3d, and an outer bearing ring 41" fixed to a stationary sleeveaa'carried byithecollar portion .of the bearing housing 42.. Thebearing rings A! and lil are provided,withcomplementarybearing raceways whichreceive the ball bearings 48-; A closure-plate. 50 .securedasbyscrews 50 to the stationary collar'portion dd -is provided with a sealing ring. 51 whichbears against a rotatable bearing ring.52 which encircles-the adjacent contracted neck portion 33 of .the tubularshaft iifl. The. ringtbearingr 5'2" provides, a snug seat for the adjacent end: ofxthe-hub portion 4 of the hub member 3:1

The. other end of. 'the': bearing-housi:ng 42 is provided. with an inclined flangeor end'wall portiondfiiterminatingin a collar portion 45': which receives aibe'aring. assembly -53 which is complementary tothe bearing assembly 46; The-bearingassembly 53 comprises an. inner bearing ring 41 fixedtothe adjacent reduced neck portion 34 of the drive shaft :30, and-an outer bearingring 61 fixed within atubularsleeve 54, thesleeve fl being fixed to the collar portion:45-= of the bearing housing 42, these bearing rings and 41 having complementary bearing raceways which contain the ball'bearingsdit. r

A -.plurality of radiallyextending straightener vanes extend. between the tubular bearing: casiing: 4 2 and the tubular outer-casing 4|- The straightener vanes 55 may be cast integrally-with theouter casing- 41 and the bearingcasing III-to provide a rigid construction which can be economically manufactured;- Each of the straightenervanes 55 may be provided with a curved inner end 55 'to-facilitatepick upof the air stream-- projected; ba -the blower-fan 6-0--a-nd to wardly through thedischarge throat fUL Aiconi-q cally shaped air baffle 56 suitably secured to thetubular-bearing casing '42 has'itsterminal end 56" adjacent the outer peripherylflof. the disv pensinghead l.

A -blower fan 60 isfixed to the tubular drivein shaft 30 'adjacent the bearingrassembly 53;: :Thei blower 60 may-comprise atubularfbodyuwall 6-! of substantiallythe sa'mediam'eteras the tubular 1" bearing housing '42.; The tubular-blowerwalr 6| 7 has an inturned'end'wall portion 62 which ter': a. minates ir'ra hub'porti'on 63 fixed to-the tubular.- drive shaft 30. A closure plate 51 has a sealingring 58 which encircles the hub portion 63 of-the blowericasing 6|, the closure v plate EI -being' hecured to the collar portion 45' of the motorhousr ing "as by removable bolts 59. The closure plates 50 and Hand their associatedsealing rings 5| and 58 serve'to retain the bearing lubricant within the bearinghousing 42; The tubular body' wall 6 land the end wall 62 of the blower 60 en-f larly in Fig; l i

the tubularbody wall 6l-of the :blower 60 and maybe cast'integrally therewith The im-peller vanes 1 64 are preferably tilted to extend "in a plane inclined at an angle of approximately'30" to 45 with respect to the longitudinal axis of:-the blowerbody Wall 6|. The outerends 64' of the vanesare preferably square cut and extend closeto the adjacentinner surface of the outer casingll, pro'-' viding'only-operating clearance therebetween.

in the general-direction of the arrowat shown in Fig. '3. "A flared skirt 65," secured tofthe-a'djacent Air enters the blower assembly-axially thereof outer casing 'M'as-bybolts 65', ma b'e p'rovide'd to "assist in tunneling the "ai'r' st'ream into the tubular blower casing 41; A spider-fram'e, pre-= sentingaplurality of spaced arms 65''extendingfrom" the skirt member 65 andterminating irra collar portion-li'l, may be cast integrally with the spider'fram'e. The collar portion 61 isfsha'pedto' receive" the tubular body wall 69 of a fitting 68,"

the fitting having a'bottom Wall 69' to which the threaded'end of the liquid supply conduit: "18 is secured.

A -connecting device H provides aleakfprQofpassage connection between the passage" iif'the stationary" liquid supply' conduit- 10 attached to fitting '68 and the passage '31 'in the tubulai drive shaft 30. The connecting device 'l l comprises la cup shaped memberlf'snugly fi'tted:.vvithin a con;

forming cavity in the fitting as; "The-cup shaped 1 member 12 has a"tubula r body walr ana 'a'n ihturned bottomwall 112' 1 within which a cushion ring 73,- formed of rubber or like resiIient materiaL' is contained. A" tubular metal sleeve 14] contained within the cushion ring 513, Drovides 'a passage re: t e aerosol-liquid flowing "from" the end of the supplycondu'it 1'6. The sleeve 14 is provided with aii' outturnedfiange portion 15 upon which a graphite, 'carbon rother-mon metallic bearing membe r '16 snugly" se ts; *the' bearing member 16 "being retained within the-- tubular body wall of the cup member 12 by an int'u rnemflange riljrtifir'i 7 1 associated 1 with {the cup 'member' "L llie bearing member-f 16- has a raised boss portion- 18- resenting a flat rim- '18" which providesabaring'surface for-. companion connecting-: pau es which-"is nxeate the en gf thefdt'atable'driYeshaftioi The coh necting part- 350f the some c I e*device* 10:1- 1| comprises a cup member 36 having. a tubular body wall 31' which embraces the tubular drive shaft 30 and is vsealed thereto by a gasket ring 38 seating within a. conforming-groove formed in thejcircumference of; the drive shaft 30. The cup member 36 presentsa bottom wall 39 presenting a smooth and: polished outer face against which"v the rim 'face' 18% of the bearing member "16maysnugly seatto provide a leak-proof seal therebe-.v tween. The connecting device .1! as above, de-:,; scribed thus provides a passage connection forlthei aerosol liquid flowing fromthe end of the stai: tionarysupply-cohduit 18 and fitting 68, to the 7 adjacent endzof the-tubular drive shaft 30;

The dispensing head I and its associated ltubuev lar drive shaft 36 and blower fan 60 may be driven" by any-desired powe unit such as 'anelectric motor, .gas orsteamturbine, combustion engine For purposes of illustration, the aerosol generator is shown in Figs-1; and 2 as driven by a scombustion. engine whose. driver or' the like.

shaft BI .is connected to a drive pulley 82 through a suitable clutch mechanism 83. The fuel supply tank .86'may' be conveniently mounted on top of theeng-ine block, the engin exhaust mulfler 180" being arranged so as not to interfer with the flow 1 The drive of air into the blower assembly 40. pulley 82 may be providedwith driving V-belts 65' which are trained around a'pulley sheave 86 shaft "301 suitably secured to the tubular drive as by a threaded collar assembly 86;

The driving engine v8|) may be mounted upon asuitable base member 8! secured thereto as by suitable bolts 81'. The base member 81 is provideo! with protective side walls 88 between which the lower end portion of'thedriving'engin '80 is positioned, the side walls 88 havin flared lugs 88 by-means of which the base may-be'secured z to anyvidesired foundationsupport''19-. The base member BI'may also be provid'ed with a-front wall Behaving a bracket 90 secured thereto as by bolts 90". The bracket 90: has a top plate 9l' which is secured'as by bo1ts'9 l to the tubular outer c'asing: 4|" of 'theflblowerassembly 40. It will be noted that the bolts 90' extend through elongated slots 9'!" in -thebra'cket' 90 whereby the bracket 90" may be vertically adjusted along' with the blower assembly 40 as belt conditions require.

Thezaerosolliquid is supplied froma tanksupply to a feed pipe 92 which .l'e'ads into'a' filten chamber 93:inwhichthe'aerosol liquid is thoi- J oughly filtered to: remove any sediment before theaerosol liquid reaches the dispensing head I.

The "filter 63. is provided 1 with "a removable cover; 193-v whereby acc'es s-tothe filter'body may be had i for cleaning purposes. The aerosol'liquidflows from the filter 93 through tubing 9413'0" a liquid pump 95 which may be' provided to insure-'ade-f quate liquid feed to the dispensing head? The aerosol liquid leaves the pump 95 through feed tube- 96 and thence flows into a reservoir 91 which may be mounted above the tubular drive shaft 36 toprovide gravity feedof the aerosol liquid to the tubular shaft 30 through the supply conduit ML Thereservoir 9-1 is provided with a metering valve '98 provid'ed with a control handle 98' by i means of which the rate'offlow of the aerosol liquid'throu'ghthe supply-conduit 10 andth'ence to the dispensing head l, maybe controlled as'j desired." The receptacl'e'fil is also provided'with an overflow discharge conduit 96which may lead back to theaerosol liquid supply t'ank so that the aerosol-liquidin the receptacle 9'! maybe maintained under constant predeterminedpressure In operation, the drivin'g'motor 80 connectd t'o addicts consumption and maybe designed toiproduce a" high volume, high velocity; air stream which will give'substantial direction to the projected aerosol. Aerosol generators constructed in[accordance with the teachings of this invention are ideally suited for numerous aerosol treatments'in'the fields of, entomology, agror omy,fanimal'v hus bandry, public health, sanitation, and medicine.

It is understood that the principles of, this. invention'may be embodied in various modificationsand adaptations, and it will be accordingly appreciated .that this inventionis not limited I, to the particular embodiments described; and illustrated, and that various omissions,' substitutions and changes may be made by thosefskilledin the art without departing from theteachings'of thi invention,

What I claim is:'

14 the plates near the centerof'the pile being dished with their concavities disposed toward each other, succeeding adjoining plates on either side being dished progressively to a greater degree, with their concavities facing the center-plates, Whereby the central portions of the platesare spaced apart to form clearance spaces, the peripheral margins of the plates beingsubstantially smooth and'in contact with adjoining plates, said plates having large central openings, clamping plates, one at either end of the pile, said'clamping plates havinghub portions, a hollow shaft on which said hub portions are mounted, distributor means sur rounding said shaft and located in said' large l'.' A machine for convertingliquidstoaerosols which. includes, a dispensin head comprisingdispensing discs arranged in stacked relationship, said dispensingdiscs being-substantially of equal exterior diameter and having resilient peripheral portions and presenting adjacent filming surfaces, means for maintaining the adjacent inner surface areas thereof in spaced relationship and means for urging the adjacent peripheral surface areas thereof into resilient contiguous relationship, a distributor member positioned centrally of said dispersion discs, a tubular, shaft-fixed to said'dispensing discs and distributor member, said tubularysh'aft havig a discharge outlet'through 'which the aerosol :liquid is supp-liedtogsaid distributor member, said distributor member having :atubular'wall presenting radiating discharge passages, andimpelling fins radiatingoutwardly from'said tubular wall to distribute the aerosol liqiud into the plurality of spaceswpresented by the paired inner surfaces of said dispensing discs, and means for'rotating'said dispensing discsr 1 g i 2.,iATmachine for convertingiiquids to aerosols which includes, a dispensing head com'p'ris'ihga plurality of dispensing discs arranged in "stacked relationship; said dispersion discsibeingsubstantially, of equal exterior" diameter and having resilient peripheral portions and presenti'ng' adja'cent filming surfaces, means wfor maintaining the'adj acent inner surface 'areas thereof in spaced relationship and means for urging the adjacent peripheral surface areas thereof into resilient contiguous relationship, a I distributor H member positioned, 'centrallyof said di'sp'ensing' discs; a tubular shaft fixed to said dispensing discs and distributor member, said tubular shaft having a discharge outlet through which aerosol liquid is supplied to said distributor member, said distributor member having a tubular wall presenting an interior cavity space into which the liquid is discharged from the discharge outlet in said shaft, a plurality of spaced fins radiating from said tubular wall and presenting an outer cavity space between thev fins, said tubular wall having a plurality of radiating passages extending therethrough for conducting the liquid from said inner cavity space into said outer cavity space, saidv centralopenings between said clamping plates to equalize supply of liquid from the hollow shaft to said clearance spaces, spacing devices between the several plates adjacent their innermargins', clamping rings disposed between the clamping plates and thedispersion plates, said clamping rings having outer rim' portions directed toward each other and exerting resilient pressure, on the dispersion plates, and a series of ,fastfinin members Passing through the clar'n'ping'plates,f,the clamping rings and the dispersion plates to clamp the assembly tightly together. 41A machine for convertingli'quids'to aerosols comprising a tubular main casing, a bearing housj'; ing .withinsaid main casing, straightening" blades connecting said bearing housing and main'casing to'l supp'ort said lbearing housing, said bearing housing having bearing portion's'at eitherfend, a hollowdrive shaft having an internal 'duct,'f's'a1'd drive shaft being journaled in said'bearinglporf tioi'is, a dispersion headmounted onone' endof the shaft and havingicommunicati'on with'fsiaifd duct, the. periphery of said-dispersion headigbei'n'g diameter approximately equal to that of .thebea'r ing casing, impeller blades securedto said-hub casing and extending toward saidmain casing, a drive pulley on said shaft adjacent said impeller,

a support secured to said main-casing,a tubular sealingringsecured to said support-said hollow shaft having enga'gement with said sealingring, and a :supply conduit connected to -said,-sealin g ring. I l,

5. A machine-for converting liquids? to aerosols comprising atubularmain casing,- abearinghouse ing' within said main casing, straightening blades extending between said bearing housing and main casing, said bearing housing having bearing portions at either end, a hollow drive shaft having an internal duct, said drive shaft being journaled in said bearing portions, a dispersion head mounted on one end of the shaft and having communication with said duct, the periphery of said dispersion head being spaced from, and disposed substantially directly opposite, the terminal edge of the main tubular casing to define a discharge throat therebetween, a blower impeller mounted on said shaft on the other side of the bearing housing from said dispersion head, and drive means on said shaft adjacent said impeller,

a support secured to said main casing, a sealing device secured to said support and engaging said hollow shaft adjacent said impeller, and a supply conduit connected to said sealing device.

6. In a machine for converting liquids into aerosols, --a rota-table dispersion headpresenting a plurality. of dispersion tdiscs having resilient operipherallportions and arranged in stacked relationship, said discs having .axially aligned openings therein whereby theinner peripheries of said discs present/acentralcavity in said head, means =for. spacing the innergperipheries of said discs in substantially uniform spaced relationship,'..a hollow liquid supply shaft extending into saidcentral cavity and presenting a laterally extending liquid discharge .port' for-supplying liquid to'the spaces defined by the inner peripheries of said discs, cover members closing the cavity defined'bylthe inner peripheries of "said -discs, means for clamping the pile 'of dispersion discs together into a unitary assembly, and means for urging the adjacent peripheral surfaces of said discs into a plurality of liquid discharge ports therein," a

distributor member having radiating liquid discharge passages positioned Within said central cavity 'andfixed to said shaftfor distributing the liquid discharged from said shaftporits .to the spaces defined by the inner'peripheries of said discs; 'ajp'air of plate members closing the cavity definedby' the inner peripheries of said disc's, means for clamping the pile of dispersion discs 7 together into a unitary assembly, and means for urging the adjacent peripheral surfaces 'of' said discs into resilient contact.

"'8. A machine for converting liquids to aerosols including a tubular main casing, a bearing housing within said main casing, straightener vanes extending between said bearing housing and maincasing, said bearing housing having bearing portions at both ends thereof, a hollow drive shaft having an internal ductjournaled in said bearing portions, a dispersion head mounted onsaid shaft adjacent one of said bearing portions and having communication with said duct, 'said' dispersion head being centrallypositioned with respect tosaid'tubular casing and having'its periphery disposed substantially opposite the terminal edge of said tubular casing todefine a discharge throat therebetween, a blower impeller mounted on said shaftadjacent. the other bearing portion, 1 means for rotatingrs'aid shaft and dispersion heachand means for supplying aerosol liquid to said hollowshaft.

-9. A machine for. converting liquids to aeres'ols including a tubular cas'ihg', abear-ing. housing within said casing, straightener vanes connecting said bearing housing and easing and supporting said bearing housing, said bearing housing-having bearingp'ortiohs at both ends thereof, a 1101- low drive shaft having'an internal duct journaled in. said bearing portions, a dispersion "head mounted on one end of said shaft adjacentone of said bearing'portio'ns and having communication with saididuet, the periphery of saidi'di'spersion headjb'eing "spaced from, "and disposed substantially directly opposite, the terminal edge of the tubular casing t'o'define a discharge throat therebetweenja blower impellermounted on said 20 shaft adjacent the other bearing portion, means for rotating said hollow shaft and"dispersion head, a stationary liquid supply conduit, and means ior hermetically connecting the adjacent ends of "said liquid supply conduit and said hollow shaft l s,

JOHN W. HES SION, 'JR.

REFERENCES CIT-ED The following references are or record [in the file'of this patent:

, UNITED STAT-Es.- PATENTS Number Name 'Date 203,069 Beniiingto n et a1. Apr.-30, 1878 a09,978 gmsin'ger Aug; 27, 1889 976,350 Ehrs'a'm er/a1. Nov. '22, 19 10 '-'1,14v,-51'3 Kirkp'atrick July '20, 1915 1,242,445 Ittner O'ct. '9, 1917 1,420,722 'MacLachlah June 27, 1922 40 1 ,585,393 Laughlin arisin -n May 18, 1926 1,719,869 Boyd l July 9; 1929 1,735,692 Nyrop r r Nov. '12, 1929 1,908,230 Fawkes May 9, 1933 1,994,912 Hochstetter -Mar. 19, 1935 2,056,296. Robertson Oct. .6, 1936 2,064,125 Norris. Dec. '15, 1936 2,086,987 July 13, 1937 2,086,921 July 13', 1937 2,177,740 Orndor'fl' et a1. 1 Oct. 31, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country .Date 

